Hey it's been a long time but unless dirt bikes have changed more than I think that's not how I would have ridden it and what was all the huffing and puffing about, I'm not sure being 75 and not being on a dirt bike for years that I would be that out of breath/shape I'm probably wrong.. Having taken a brief drain and thinking about it I don't understand riding in the ruts I always found the crest or the side of trail was better and while I wouldn't have used that bike if I had to more speed on no matter what would have been better, your right RR I found it kind of embarrassing.
Bill the demon.